Army parade called off for security reasons

"In view of a potential plot to assassinate the president,"
the usual army parade on June 24th in Carabobo Battlefield was
called off, Defense Minister Jorge Luis García Carneiro
conceded.

Based on intelligence reports, President Hugo Chávez should
restrict public activities as much as possible, the minister
added.

According to army chief of staff and second commander, Major
General Wilfredo Silva, "that same day, an award ceremony will
take place in the honor yard at the military academy," instead
of the parade.

Silva was surprised when queried about the action, as he expected
that army commander Raúl Isaías Baduel would make
the official announcement over the next few days.

Last Wednesday, members of the National Assembly Defense Committee
received the invitations for the parade, but the day after they
were apprised of the cancellation.

On Thursday, Baduel denied the version and claimed that he
had not received any related notice.

For the second time, a parade on June 24th is called off.
The first time was in 1983, under the administration of President
Luis Herrera Campíns. Then, the government resolved to
adjourn it until July 24 to coincide with Libertador Simón
Bolívar's 200th anniversary.

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